With a prime piece of real estate now on the market, community stakeholders are reimagining Newington’s downtown district.Chatter of enhancing walkability, shopping, arts and culture could be heard recently inside the Community Room Cafe on East Cedar Street, which is located a half-mile away from the 49.47-acre former Hartford HealthCare (HHC) campus that’s currently on […]
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With a prime piece of real estate now on the market, community stakeholders are reimagining Newington’s downtown district.
Chatter of enhancing walkability, shopping, arts and culture could be heard recently inside the Community Room Cafe on East Cedar Street, which is located a half-mile away from the 49.47-acre former Hartford HealthCare (HHC) campus that’s currently on the market.
“The town has taken a really good position, gathering data to make the right choices,” said cafe owner Jim Wiltshire.
As executive vice president of the Newington Chamber of Commerce and pastor of The Chapel across town, Wiltshire is an active member of the steering committee drafting Newington’s town center master plan. The study site is anchored by the HHC property, which hit the market after the health system consolidated administrative offices in Farmington about a year ago.
The property, which includes two parcels at 181 and 184-200 Patricia M Genova Drive, was the former home of the Newington Children’s Hospital, which closed in 1996 when the CT Children’s Medical Center opened in Hartford.
The site, which is zoned as public land, includes a 260,000-square-foot building, parking lots and surrounding woodlands.
It’s now being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity. According to listing materials produced by real estate services firm Avison Young, the property offers the potential “to construct a wide variety of uses, including single- and multifamily housing, senior living, retail, health care and mixed-use.”
The broader Newington town center study site is bound by Main Street (Rt. 176) to the west, East Cedar Street (Rt. 175) to the north, and Lowrey Place to the south.
Working with property consultant Colliers Engineering & Design, the steering committee is collecting feedback from the community on desired enhancements, conservation efforts and redevelopment along the study site.
A public information meeting took place in December, and a draft plan is still in the early stages. It is expected to be released later this year.
Several concepts under consideration include more dining and retail shopping, as well as street improvements and park-like, multifamily living areas.
“People want the village effect down here,” Wiltshire said. “Benches, fire pits, playground areas … beautification to draw in new businesses.”
In addition to a vibrant business scene, Wiltshire said there could be interest in residential living opportunities for older adults to support the town’s aging population.
“If we can get builders to do aging-in-place over here,” explained Wiltshire, “it would open up real estate around town and increase the tax base.”
Mixed-use desires
Karma’s Closet owner Deanna Reney, another committee member, recently moved her consignment boutique from the Berlin Turnpike closer downtown, to 27 Garfield St.
As chairperson of Newington’s economic development commission, Reney said she envisions a fun gathering place for the community in the area of the former HHC campus.
“I would like to see mixed-use,” she said. “I think we need more retail, but the right size — 1,000 to 3,000 square feet. Apartments up top. If we go the residential route, I would like to see multifamily homes. It would be great to have businesses that get people out in a community sense, whether it’s a dance class or shopping. Of course, anything the community will support.”
Residents surveyed for the master plan have expressed desires for the return of a supermarket downtown. For many years there was a grocery store in Northwood Plaza, off of Lowrey Place and Main Street.
Celebrating 25 years in Newington are Cecile and Gaetano Fazio, husband-and-wife owners of Fazio Shoe Repair, at 216 Market Square.
“A supermarket would be wonderful,” Cecile Fazio said of new development possibilities downtown. “They really need it, especially for the residents of this building over here,” she added, pointing up at the Market Square Apartments, at 65 Constance Leigh Drive.
Several apartment complexes are located within the downtown district.
Updates to Newington’s town center master plan are expected to be posted to the project’s webpage (newingtontowncenter.com) when they become available.
“A supermarket would be a home run,” said Roma Custom Tailoring owner Walter Gualtieri, adding that he would support more shopping and dining options close to his business, located at 33 E. Cedar St. “Newington is like that little hidden gem people are just discovering.”
Longtime downtown business and property owners like Gualtieri and the Fazios rely on loyal patronage, but are hopeful that improvements to the neighborhood will draw more visitors to their storefronts.
“We could have a mini Blue Back Square that’s more affordable,” Gualtieri said.
